By Josanne Sabourin, Florida Master Naturalist
Pelican Bay Guided Nature Walk_16Feb2023
The morning was superbly comfortable at 64oF with sparse clouds, 6mph wind E, 91% humidity, 63oF dewpoint, 0/10 UV, visibility 10 mi, AQI 32 (good), tree/grass pollen moderate and GCOOS red tide forecast at Seagate as “very low”. The high tide was scheduled for 11:00 am @ 1.97 ft with low tide coming at 2:54 pm @ 1.64 ft (Naples Outer Coast). MOTE reported surf heigh at 0-1 ft with surface temperature 77oF, a ‘green’ low hazard flag and clear waters.
We welcomed a Pelican Bay resident who learned of the tour from the Pelican Bay Post and had recently enjoyed the Conservancy Good Fortune sunset cruise as well as a Clam Pass Conservancy Guided Tour. Two Muscovy Ducks concentrated on feeding in the waters of the berm. Mourning Doves called and one was later spotted flitting between tree branches. A Grey Catbird called while stealthily walking beneath the berm canopy. A male Northern Cardinal hid in the upper foliage of a tree. An Osprey zoomed overhead. A Green Heron eyed prey from a perch above the berm’s brackish waters while an American Alligator paused with head just breaking the water’s surface. A natural garden of Cardinal Airplants graced our view. A “white” Cloudless Sulfur butterfly danced at arm’s length. Unfortunately, the butterfly garden was heavily damaged by hurricane Ian and remains under repair; although, a lone milkweed plant is blooming strong. A female Northern Cardinal camouflaged in the dense foliage. There were many “LBJ’s” (little brown jobbies, per Sid) darting about, probably warblers. A juvenile Black Racer snake basked in the sun. Spinybacked orbweavers with perfect webs were common on the boardwalk. A group of three juvenile White Ibis foraged in the mangroves. At the bridge, a Great White Egret was spotted as well as an adult White Ibis missing a foot. A Red Fish bolted in the shallow murky water. An Osprey sat on the nest at Southbeach; however, chicks were not visible. A crowd of Royal Terns and Black Skimmers parked on the beach and a Ring-billed Gull swooped down near the surf. Nine contacts asked questions along our route and welcomed discussion. Our tour participant plans to visit the Conservancy Main Campus very soon. Interpreting our coastal environment with tour participants is invigorating and always strengthens our awareness of the ecosystem.
Pelican Bay Guided Nature Walk_16Feb2023
The morning was superbly comfortable at 64oF with sparse clouds, 6mph wind E, 91% humidity, 63oF dewpoint, 0/10 UV, visibility 10 mi, AQI 32 (good), tree/grass pollen moderate and GCOOS red tide forecast at Seagate as “very low”. The high tide was scheduled for 11:00 am @ 1.97 ft with low tide coming at 2:54 pm @ 1.64 ft (Naples Outer Coast). MOTE reported surf heigh at 0-1 ft with surface temperature 77oF, a ‘green’ low hazard flag and clear waters.
We welcomed a Pelican Bay resident who learned of the tour from the Pelican Bay Post and had recently enjoyed the Conservancy Good Fortune sunset cruise as well as a Clam Pass Conservancy Guided Tour. Two Muscovy Ducks concentrated on feeding in the waters of the berm. Mourning Doves called and one was later spotted flitting between tree branches. A Grey Catbird called while stealthily walking beneath the berm canopy. A male Northern Cardinal hid in the upper foliage of a tree. An Osprey zoomed overhead. A Green Heron eyed prey from a perch above the berm’s brackish waters while an American Alligator paused with head just breaking the water’s surface. A natural garden of Cardinal Airplants graced our view. A “white” Cloudless Sulfur butterfly danced at arm’s length. Unfortunately, the butterfly garden was heavily damaged by hurricane Ian and remains under repair; although, a lone milkweed plant is blooming strong. A female Northern Cardinal camouflaged in the dense foliage. There were many “LBJ’s” (little brown jobbies, per Sid) darting about, probably warblers. A juvenile Black Racer snake basked in the sun. Spinybacked orbweavers with perfect webs were common on the boardwalk. A group of three juvenile White Ibis foraged in the mangroves. At the bridge, a Great White Egret was spotted as well as an adult White Ibis missing a foot. A Red Fish bolted in the shallow murky water. An Osprey sat on the nest at Southbeach; however, chicks were not visible. A crowd of Royal Terns and Black Skimmers parked on the beach and a Ring-billed Gull swooped down near the surf. Nine contacts asked questions along our route and welcomed discussion. Our tour participant plans to visit the Conservancy Main Campus very soon. Interpreting our coastal environment with tour participants is invigorating and always strengthens our awareness of the ecosystem.
Pelican Bay Guided Nature Walk_16Mar2023
The morning was marvelously sunny and refreshing at 64oF to start and 71oF at the end of our walk with 10 mph wind E, 51% humidity, 52oF dewpoint, 5/10 UV, visibility 10 mi, AQI 28 (good), grass pollen moderate and GCOOS red tide forecast at Seagate as “very low” (note: latest Collier County Red Tide update for 3/13/23 was very low at Seagate). The high tide was scheduled for 11:47 am @ 1.9 ft (Naples Outer Coast). MOTE reported surf height at flat to 0.5 ft with surface temperature 74oF, a ‘green’ low hazard flag and clear waters.
Our first sighting was a young little blue heron wading off the brackish water side of the berm. A total of three Muscovy ducks were either waddling down the path or frolicking on the freshwater side of the berm. Blooming mangrove rubber vine appeared everywhere off both sides of the berm. Fresh blossoms from the duck potato caught our eyes. A total of four mottled ducks swam peacefully near the berm. Although we continually heard a cacophony of bird chirps, they were all hidden from view and unable for us to discern. Two bright male Northern cardinals flew by. Possum grape vines were mid to bottom forest dwellers with many pre-flowing arrays and several trailers but no berries yet. A monarch caterpillar munched on a large milkweed plant in the hurricane damaged butterfly garden. The numerous sweet bay Virginia magnolia are beginning to open their saucer flowers. Carolina willow showed-off prolific flower stalks with some feathery seed dispersion. Two green herons stood motionless with necks tucked. A great egret flew high over Clam Bay while about six willets picked the mudflat below. A couple stopped to chat about the osprey nest farther south on the berm. Several young white Ibis walked the wet floor of the mangrove forest. The coastal osprey nest was active with mother feeding two hungry chicks. We were fortunate not to experience symptoms of red tide. The beach appeared to have been recently raked, no dead fish or wrack. At the entrance to Clam Pass, a mass of sea birds congregated: gulls_ring-billed, laughing (both phases), herring (young and adult); terns_royal, sandwich; black skimmers; brown pelicans; sanderlings; ruddy turnstones. On our return walk, a family of three were eager to point out several swimming crabs in the berm waters. A tricolored heron as well as a white Ibis with the red-breeding morphology crossed our path. A bald eagle soared. Relishing the very few possible healthy days we could spend exploring the near beach areas of Naples these last few weeks is a new awareness and realization of our fragile environment.
The morning was marvelously sunny and refreshing at 64oF to start and 71oF at the end of our walk with 10 mph wind E, 51% humidity, 52oF dewpoint, 5/10 UV, visibility 10 mi, AQI 28 (good), grass pollen moderate and GCOOS red tide forecast at Seagate as “very low” (note: latest Collier County Red Tide update for 3/13/23 was very low at Seagate). The high tide was scheduled for 11:47 am @ 1.9 ft (Naples Outer Coast). MOTE reported surf height at flat to 0.5 ft with surface temperature 74oF, a ‘green’ low hazard flag and clear waters.
Our first sighting was a young little blue heron wading off the brackish water side of the berm. A total of three Muscovy ducks were either waddling down the path or frolicking on the freshwater side of the berm. Blooming mangrove rubber vine appeared everywhere off both sides of the berm. Fresh blossoms from the duck potato caught our eyes. A total of four mottled ducks swam peacefully near the berm. Although we continually heard a cacophony of bird chirps, they were all hidden from view and unable for us to discern. Two bright male Northern cardinals flew by. Possum grape vines were mid to bottom forest dwellers with many pre-flowing arrays and several trailers but no berries yet. A monarch caterpillar munched on a large milkweed plant in the hurricane damaged butterfly garden. The numerous sweet bay Virginia magnolia are beginning to open their saucer flowers. Carolina willow showed-off prolific flower stalks with some feathery seed dispersion. Two green herons stood motionless with necks tucked. A great egret flew high over Clam Bay while about six willets picked the mudflat below. A couple stopped to chat about the osprey nest farther south on the berm. Several young white Ibis walked the wet floor of the mangrove forest. The coastal osprey nest was active with mother feeding two hungry chicks. We were fortunate not to experience symptoms of red tide. The beach appeared to have been recently raked, no dead fish or wrack. At the entrance to Clam Pass, a mass of sea birds congregated: gulls_ring-billed, laughing (both phases), herring (young and adult); terns_royal, sandwich; black skimmers; brown pelicans; sanderlings; ruddy turnstones. On our return walk, a family of three were eager to point out several swimming crabs in the berm waters. A tricolored heron as well as a white Ibis with the red-breeding morphology crossed our path. A bald eagle soared. Relishing the very few possible healthy days we could spend exploring the near beach areas of Naples these last few weeks is a new awareness and realization of our fragile environment.
Monarch caterpillar munching giant milk weed plant
Duck potato (arrowhead) blooming
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Sweet bay Virginia magnolia blossom
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Pelican Bay Guided Nature Walk_26Jan2023
Luckily, the heavy rain subsided just before the tour. Although overcast, the morning was a comfortable 68oF with 10mph wind N, 77% humidity, 61oF dewpoint, 2/10 UV, visibility 10 mi, AQI 28 (good), tree pollen moderate and red tide forecast at Seagate as “very low”. The low tide was scheduled for 9:37 am @ 0.13 ft with high tide coming at 3:58 pm @ +2.5ft (Naples Coast).
We welcomed a new Pelican Bay renter (arrived just a week earlier) from Illinois who learned of the tour from the Pelican Bay Post and plans to become a Naples homeowner with her husband. At first glance a yellow crowned night heron spread its wings while walking along the berm near the Marker 36 parking lot. The berm was a picture show with 5 Tricolor herons, 2 green herons, 6 white ibis flying overhead, a mockingbird, a catbird, a grey squirrel and a 5ft alligator. Along the way, Sid stopped by on his bike to share a killdeer sighting near the berm. Two women from Illinois paused to chat about their hope that the thistle would be removed from the berm grassy-landing, and they were directed to engage the PB Services Division. The chill in the air invigorated many walkers albeit the trams were running sparse. The Ipe boardwalk was drenched from the rain, and we marveled at the many seemingly new footboard screws since post-hurricane Ian repairs. Our visitor was attentive, keen to ask questions, and quick to learn as she was excited to discover the treasures found here, her new homebase in Naples. Now four months post-Ian, the white mangrove appeared most resilient with many new leaves emerging on the branches while fresh red mangrove drop-roots were prolific. The boardwalk bridges showcased a little blue heron and two giant white egrets in the extensive mudflats. Although the rain decoupled many spider webs, an intact string of pearls impressed our visitor. Mangrove crabs were a delightful surprise for our visitor. Two tram riders were inquisitive about newly placed baskets on the trees near the Southbeach restaurant and unfortunately, we could not offer information; however, two tram drivers later were indeed helpful to explain the new “bee” baskets. According to Spencer Marcantonio (Pelican Bay Facilities Manager), “the baskets are put into place as a safe and healthy place for the bees to create their hives. This simultaneously diminishes the chances of a member stepping on a grounded bee that couldn’t fight the salt spray indicative of the beach. Bill McGuire from Bee Relief is our installer and regularly keeps up with these baskets to see if a hive is present. When we have a basket that is greatly populated, he replaces it and relocates the hive in a new environment where it and its bees can continue to thrive. These bees are not released back into the mangroves here. Instead, they are brought to other locations which may have a dwindling bee population. Bill states that we have such a healthy population in Pelican Bay that we basically act as a breeding ground to supplying bees to other neighboring ecosystems which can benefit greatly by them”. On the beach, grey pelicans stood firm in the wind and flew overhead as a number of gulls and terns camped at the pass, although too distant to identify. The osprey was sitting on the nest at the end of the platform. There are signs warning visitors to be cautious walking the beach due to hazards from Ian. Our visitor so appreciated her introduction to the ecosystem and indicated great interest in visiting the Conservancy Center as well as becoming a volunteer. We cannot predict the total value added of a Nature Tour as visitors absorb the aura of the coastal habitat and often make a commitment of some kind to help sustain the environment.
Bee Basket, Southbeach
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Yellow crowned night heron, Berm
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Pelican Bay Guided Nature Walk_27Apr2023
The morning was perfect for a comfortable stroll at 70oF to start and 78oF at the end of our walk with 5 mph wind E, 97% humidity, 69oF dewpoint, 0/10 UV, visibility 9 mi, AQI 33 (good), grass pollen moderate and GCOOS red tide forecast at Seagate as “very low”. The high tide was scheduled for 10:53 am @ 1.9 ft (Naples Outer Coast).
Our Pelican Bay visitor hailed from Connecticut with around 4 years’ experience as a snowbird to Naples. Having previously enjoyed our Pelican Bay Nature Tour, she was now interested in a refresher. First sightings, an osprey soaring overhead followed by a bright male northern cardinal singing from the highest tree within view. An adult common gallinule with at least four fuzzy chicks waded through littoral zone grasses on a pond. We intermittently noticed white ibis in flight. A brown anole jumped rip-rap rocks on the berm. Butterflies were active, including monarch, white peacock and a variety of sulfurs. A yellow crowed night heron swooped low and then landed in the treetops of a giant gumbo limbo. Our visitor was impressed to learn of the local habitat pre-Pelican Bay and was astounded at Ian’s devastation to her Pelican Bay area with water within inches of her raised doorstep. Mangrove tree crabs were so abundant that we needed to watch our steps on the boardwalk. Another osprey flyby. Many spiny backed and basilica orb weaver spiders presided with full webs glistening in the sun. Since our visitor was already well versed to identify the three mangroves, she easily proceeded to discuss environmental topics such as saving the NRPA area from newly proposed pickleball courts, enlisting natural solutions for storm resiliency and how this mangrove forest is maintained to avoid overflooding. Black mangroves were all about flowers ready to pop while red mangroves were primed with hanging propagules. Numerous white ibis were spotted foraging in the wet soil adjacent to the boardwalk. The osprey nest at South Beach appeared vacant although this coincides with the expected time for this year’s triplets to fledge. Unusually, no birds on Clam Bay or on the beach. We were introduced to the Pelican Bay group considering to obtain expert evaluation regarding the introduction of several bird boxes on the berm. The last Pelican Bay walk of this Season…Cheers to the service we provide in educating the community about the importance of the mangrove ecosystem and to the camaraderie we enjoy with partners as well as visitors!
The morning was perfect for a comfortable stroll at 70oF to start and 78oF at the end of our walk with 5 mph wind E, 97% humidity, 69oF dewpoint, 0/10 UV, visibility 9 mi, AQI 33 (good), grass pollen moderate and GCOOS red tide forecast at Seagate as “very low”. The high tide was scheduled for 10:53 am @ 1.9 ft (Naples Outer Coast).
Our Pelican Bay visitor hailed from Connecticut with around 4 years’ experience as a snowbird to Naples. Having previously enjoyed our Pelican Bay Nature Tour, she was now interested in a refresher. First sightings, an osprey soaring overhead followed by a bright male northern cardinal singing from the highest tree within view. An adult common gallinule with at least four fuzzy chicks waded through littoral zone grasses on a pond. We intermittently noticed white ibis in flight. A brown anole jumped rip-rap rocks on the berm. Butterflies were active, including monarch, white peacock and a variety of sulfurs. A yellow crowed night heron swooped low and then landed in the treetops of a giant gumbo limbo. Our visitor was impressed to learn of the local habitat pre-Pelican Bay and was astounded at Ian’s devastation to her Pelican Bay area with water within inches of her raised doorstep. Mangrove tree crabs were so abundant that we needed to watch our steps on the boardwalk. Another osprey flyby. Many spiny backed and basilica orb weaver spiders presided with full webs glistening in the sun. Since our visitor was already well versed to identify the three mangroves, she easily proceeded to discuss environmental topics such as saving the NRPA area from newly proposed pickleball courts, enlisting natural solutions for storm resiliency and how this mangrove forest is maintained to avoid overflooding. Black mangroves were all about flowers ready to pop while red mangroves were primed with hanging propagules. Numerous white ibis were spotted foraging in the wet soil adjacent to the boardwalk. The osprey nest at South Beach appeared vacant although this coincides with the expected time for this year’s triplets to fledge. Unusually, no birds on Clam Bay or on the beach. We were introduced to the Pelican Bay group considering to obtain expert evaluation regarding the introduction of several bird boxes on the berm. The last Pelican Bay walk of this Season…Cheers to the service we provide in educating the community about the importance of the mangrove ecosystem and to the camaraderie we enjoy with partners as well as visitors!
Pelican Bay Guided Nature Walk_16Jan2020
A marvelous morning for spotting wildlife on the Pelican Bay berm! Strolling along was quite comfortable with 62-81oF, 7 mph NNE winds, 52% humidity, 10 mi visibility and full sun. There was no sign of red tide; Collier County, Florida State and MOTE all recorded ‘not present’ earlier in the week. Our visitors included three nature enthusiast snowbirds (Canada, Cleveland, Buffalo). Low tide was posted at 9:55 am @ 0.3 ft (Naples Bay with about a two-hour delay to Clam Pass).
Visitors were surprised to learn the berm functions to protect the mangroves from excessive freshwater run-off by employing weirs, riprap and cement pillows that reduce flow impact. Berm waters were dark with tannin, but exceptionally clear. Everyone commented on the obvious environmental succession of growth after hurricane Irma, the key attributes of the mangrove forest as well as the estuary, and the need for preservation. Examples of the food web and the interactive nature of the ecosystem flora, fauna, soil and water became passionate topics of discussion. Along the way, three individuals joined the group for a short time to ask questions about wading birds and spiders. Visitors were interested to learn about red tide. A contract water quality analysis team sampling on the berm for the FL DEP (Watershed Information Network) paused to explain the testing regime. Unfortunately, they also received this group’s report of a dead unidentified bird seen on the far east shore of the berm at North Point. Everyone was excited to view and learn about the great variety of wildlife on display today. After the visitors departed, the day was so gorgeous that a walk to the butterfly garden was a must. A floral array of intense colors and floating beauties dodging our every step…an immediate reaction of WOW! A butterfly fan stopped to chat and was happy to learn of the iNaturalist app. As this was an exceptional sighting day, Mary clicked a variety of superb photos as we proceeded to observe the following:
A marvelous morning for spotting wildlife on the Pelican Bay berm! Strolling along was quite comfortable with 62-81oF, 7 mph NNE winds, 52% humidity, 10 mi visibility and full sun. There was no sign of red tide; Collier County, Florida State and MOTE all recorded ‘not present’ earlier in the week. Our visitors included three nature enthusiast snowbirds (Canada, Cleveland, Buffalo). Low tide was posted at 9:55 am @ 0.3 ft (Naples Bay with about a two-hour delay to Clam Pass).
Visitors were surprised to learn the berm functions to protect the mangroves from excessive freshwater run-off by employing weirs, riprap and cement pillows that reduce flow impact. Berm waters were dark with tannin, but exceptionally clear. Everyone commented on the obvious environmental succession of growth after hurricane Irma, the key attributes of the mangrove forest as well as the estuary, and the need for preservation. Examples of the food web and the interactive nature of the ecosystem flora, fauna, soil and water became passionate topics of discussion. Along the way, three individuals joined the group for a short time to ask questions about wading birds and spiders. Visitors were interested to learn about red tide. A contract water quality analysis team sampling on the berm for the FL DEP (Watershed Information Network) paused to explain the testing regime. Unfortunately, they also received this group’s report of a dead unidentified bird seen on the far east shore of the berm at North Point. Everyone was excited to view and learn about the great variety of wildlife on display today. After the visitors departed, the day was so gorgeous that a walk to the butterfly garden was a must. A floral array of intense colors and floating beauties dodging our every step…an immediate reaction of WOW! A butterfly fan stopped to chat and was happy to learn of the iNaturalist app. As this was an exceptional sighting day, Mary clicked a variety of superb photos as we proceeded to observe the following:
